Manipur Destroys 50 Acres of Illegal Poppy Cultivation in Ukhrul District

PTI, IMPHAL, JAN 14, 2025 :  Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced that authorities have successfully destroyed 50 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Ukhrul district. The operation took place in Mullam Kuki village, where four huts found on the poppy fields were also set on fire. Singh confirmed that an investigation has been launched to identify those responsible for the illegal plantation.

“Our dedicated forces, comprising Ukhrul district police, 6th Manipur Rifles, Army, and the Forest Department, successfully carried out an operation to destroy the illegal poppy cultivation in Mullam Kuki village hill range under the Litan Police Station limits,” Singh posted on X on Monday. “A total of 50 acres of poppy plantations were destroyed, and four illicit huts were set ablaze.”

An FIR has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing. Singh expressed his appreciation for the combined efforts of the team, highlighting the importance of the ongoing war on drugs. “Let us stand united in this fight to reclaim our hills, our values, and our dignity. Together, we will build a Manipur free from the shadow of drugs,” he stated.

This destruction follows previous operations targeting illegal poppy cultivation in Ukhrul district. On December 16, 2024, authorities destroyed around 70 acres of poppy crops in three villages. Earlier last month, the Manipur Police and Forest Department had also eradicated about 55 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in the hill range of Shihai Khullen.

According to an official report, the Manipur government has destroyed a total of 19,135.6 acres of illegal poppy cultivation across at least 12 districts since 2017. Kangpokpi district reported the highest destruction at 4,454.4 acres, followed by Ukhrul (3,348 acres) and Churachandpur (2,713.8 acres), as revealed in the study Mapping and Estimation of Opium Poppy Cultivation Area using Remote Sensing and GIS Technology.